Reconciliation agreement reached between British Columbia and Heiltsuk Nation
The B.C. government has signed a reconciliation agreement with the Heiltsuk Nation aimed at offering support for housing, language and economic development.
The $22.3-million agreement also provides a foundation for the implementation of Heiltsuk rights, title and self-government under a 2019 deal with the provincial and federal governments.
Chief Coun. Marilyn Slett says the funding will go toward a language centre, tourism business opportunities, a business plan for a lumber mill and a long-term care facility for community elders.
Slett adds that the agreement will help close the socio-economic gap the band's members face.
Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin says he believes more similar agreements will be signed in the future.
Hereditary chief Harvey Humchitt says the agreement is a culmination of years of work between the government and previous band chiefs and councillors.
The agreement is a step in the right direction but the journey to recognizing Heiltsuk's rights will continue, Slett said.
“As our chiefs have said, it's been a long road. But it's not over,” she said.
Rankin said he's confident that the agreement will lead to further co-ordination between the nation and various levels of government.
“I honestly think we've done something for the history books,” he said.
Jennifer Rice, a New Democrat who represents North Coast in the legislature, said she hopes the commitment will lead to improvements in the quality of life for Heiltsuk members.
“No amount of financial contribution can ever right the wrongs of the past, but I'm hopeful that this commitment will help the Heiltsuk achieve your goal of closing the socio-economic gaps created by settler colonialism,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.